[Geoff]

I generally say “Passing left” because sometimes, if I just say “passing”, a ped will “Helpfully” move to the left.

Looking at it as someone who gets passed a lot, I find most cyclists give no warning at all. It is tempting to crowd the center line, because that seems to encourage people to call their pass.

[Geoff]

Me: riding westbound on Custis, near the top of the first of the Sister Hills at maybe 9 mph.
You: Heavy panting coming up behind me, getting closer.
Me: turning to see who was overtaking me and finding… a runner!

I did the only thing I could, which was to call out “Well done!”
I think the bearded young fellow was doing hills for training and had set catching me as a challenge, because as soon as he pulled even he grinned at me and turned around. I was impressed.

[Geoff]

Years ago one of my boys hit a curb hard. He was about 5 at the time. He pitched over the handlebars onto a concrete pad. If not for the helmet, and the fact he was wearing it correctly, the concrete would have sandpapered off his nose. You will understand that I still look back at that with horror at what might have been, and I have strong opinions on helmets.

[Geoff]

I’ll try to make it.

[Geoff]

Thought about putting this in the Missed Connection thread but I didn’t actually interact at all with the fellow.

This morning at about 6:50 I was at the Intersection of Doom waiting for the red light to change so I could cross Lynn.This fellow comes up behind me and, without stopping, goes across Lynn, against the light, threading thru the cross traffic.

I am an enthusiastic believer in Idaho Stops but always treat IoD with great respect and would probably do so even if there were no other vehicles visible in any direction. I was appalled. The guy was watching traffic and timed his crossing, but oh ye gods and fishes…

[Geoff]

@hozn 113320 wrote:

Wait, why are people worried about getting sweaty on their bike rides?

Horses sweat.
Men perspire.
Women glisten. Including the ones blowing past me on hills.

[Geoff]

Fearing ice on the Custis roller coaster this morning I took a different route, taking the W&OD to MVT and then north to the 14th St. bridge. Ran into quite a few patches of ice, some smooth and black, some rutted but still very slippery. Judging from last week’s posts on this thread, Custis might have been better.

[Geoff]

@Steve O 108595 wrote:

Well, what kind of a place is “kalamazoo?” Sounds like an imaginary place in a children’s story to me.

Given that I am not taking part in Freezing Saddles, perhaps I lack standing to post in this thread; but as a native Michigander I feel compelled to issue a stern “Harumpff.”

[Geoff]

@Terpfan 108406 wrote:

I’m still working on figuring out how to rig a sail to my bike….

Here ya go:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2035425/Introducing-whike-Britains-bike-SAIL-hits-streets.html

[Geoff]

10 degrees by the thermometer on my handlebars.
“7” on the Rosslyn Monolith after I went by at 6:52.
6 other riders between East Falls Church and Union Station.

I’m very glad the wind was at my back. I was toasty most of the way, but the wind sure stung my face when I turned into it.

[Geoff]

@Powerful Pete 108000 wrote:

Dreary and chilly, walked Trollheim because of the ice and my scaredycat-ness.

I didn’t walk the Trollheim, but I did take it extra slow and did feel the wheels slip a little once. Trollheim and all its sibling wooden bridges on the MVT deserve caution.

[Geoff]

I set a new “personal chilliest” this morning at 13 degrees. Still, a good ride.

My commute these days takes me past the Reflecting Pool (Lincoln Memorial), around the Washington Monument, and past the Smithsonian museums. Very pleasant places to ride. While I look forward to warmer weather, I’ll miss having the roads / walkways to myself.

[Geoff]

@Sunyata 106898 wrote:

Funny you should mention not feeling that cold… I thought I was pretty adequately dressed for the weather and was warm enough when riding in. However, when I got to work to change, I noticed that my stomach was ice cold and quite red… I guess I need to perhaps start pinning an extra piece of windproof fleece to the lower front part of my jacket when it is this cold? I do not want to put on another full layer because then I would have definitely been too hot. :confused:

I generally wear a windproof vest with netting in the back. It does a good job of keeping the trunk warm without overheating. This morning I was quite comfortable on my 1hr 15 min ride.

[Geoff]

I try to avoid riding when cold, wet, and dark. I’m allergic to freezing rain; it can make me break out in road rash and painful purple skin splotches. But tonight was actually OK. My normal kit for this time of year was enough to keep me warm and dry, there was no ice on the pavement, and it didn’t get dark till I was almost home.

[Geoff]

Metro fare not paid this morning: $3.80

Fingers of dawn backlighting the DC skyline and reflected in the Potomac: priceless.

[Author]

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